Just after World War 2, a group of men speculated that Norfolk County in Massachusetts would pass legislation allowing for para mutual gambling. The men formed a corporation, and in 1947 acquired land (located on what was then the major highway connecting Boston and Providence) on what was once a sewage treatment facility and began construction of what would be one of the best greyhound dog tracks in New England. The $350,000 project was complete with premium box and general seating, multiple betting and concession stands, lighting and public address systems by Westinghouse and a members only clubhouse. The Norwood Sports Arena was a sure bet...except that the State of Massachusetts did not pass gambling legislation as speculated.
The Club House was originally for paid members only. That didn't sit well with many of the patrons and became open to the public after a few lean years.
Stock Certificate Courtesy of J.C. Crossley - Norwood Arena Club Membership Card Courtesy of Carl Merrill
TOP - The map of Norwood as it appeared to the founders of the Norwood Sports Arena in 1947.

LEFT - The Board of Directors of Norwood Sports Arena.

BELOW - Boxing was one of the many sporting events held at the Norwood Sports Arena. Boston's own Tom McNeeley started his boxing career there. A few years later (1961) McNeeley went toe-to-toe with Floyd Patterson for the world heavyweight championship in Canada. He lost in the 4th round.
The Sports Arena Board of Directors was forced to shift the scope of the facility form greyhound dog racing to hold different types of sporting events, including wrestling, boxing, concerts and football to name a few. Not knowing anything about motorsports, the Arena Board of Directors would lease or contract organizations to hold events. They signed with the Bay State Midget Racing Association to run on Monday nights, the only opening on the touring midget series. On June 14, 1948 the midgets became the first race cars to turn laps on what would become one of the top 1/4 mile motorsport tracks in the country. Fifteen races were held during first season, occasionally in the rain. Attendance averaged around 4000 fans per race night. Johnny Bernardi, driving the Davison Offy #55 won the opening night feature race and along with three other feature wins he captured the first Norwood Arena points championship. Bill Schindler finished in second place with three feature wins. Frankie Simonetti and Dick Shuebruk also had three feature wins each. One thing was clear, big money teams were winning and the once dynamic post-war midget craze was maturing and cooling off. The Bay State Midget Racing Association gave way to the United Car Owners Association. While the Board reviewed their disappointing first season the nearby Lonsdale, Rhode Island track had attendance of around 20,000 for its Sunday shows featuring a different type of racing...stock cars! They didn't know racing but the Board could see the trend.

In 1949, stock cars made their first appearance at Norwood Arena under the New England Stock Car Racing Association. NESCRA was formed by local midget owner/driver Ed Stone, along with Andy Anderson and others. Stone was President and ran the operations (Officers: Bud Tatro, Fran Bannister, Ed Stone, Ira Keizer, Newton Fowler with Technical Committee Frank Litwin and Hank Tatro). Like the midgets, NESCRA was a touring organization that ran several tracks weekly. These early low cost and less sophisticated stock cars (compared to the midgets) quickly grew in popularity and number. It was not uncommon for 150+ cars to sign in for a race night. It also became clear that the local racing landscape was about to change forever. As for the midgets, they continued as a touring organization with Len Thrall winning the last Midget race run at Norwood Arena on May 31, 1969.

The season opener in April 1949 was literally a marathon. The 24 hour race covered 3,572 laps (893 miles) through rain and snow showers. Each car had 2 drivers. One rested on the cots in the bar while the other drove. Red Cummings and Red Keizer won the event that included a new 1949 Ford sedan.

By seasons end, Cummings had captured the first Norwood Arena stock car championship. Despite the record crowds and big name drivers that ran this first year, there were a few dark spots to this season. Several drivers were hurt in crashes, including Pete Horne, Joe Ross and Joe O'Neil. A down side to early stock cars is that they were designed for street use and modified for racing. Parts failed on a regular basis, including wheels coming off. This happened often, but proved fatal to a fan mid season when the wheel cleared the fence and landed in the tightly packed stands. Emily Arden of Boston was killed and two other women were injured.

A highlight for this first season was the wedding of ace driver Gavin Cooper to Audrey Maher. Cooper was a colorful figure. The wedding at the track was a true "show business event" that included fireworks and torch-light procession and fireworks.
ABOVE - 1949 Rule Book for the first year of stock car racing at Norwood Arena. Click on the Rule Book to see all pages.
The 1950 season started off with a major change. NESCRA had become the New England Auto Racing Association, NEARA. Ed Stone took less of a role in this new charter. Ed Gendreau and Frank Litwin took over operations.
The second, and last, running of the 24 hour marathon kicked off the 1950 season. On April 18th and 19th, Bobby Sprague and Art Clark took the win, running 3,521 laps.
Art Clark and Bob Sprague collect the keys to the new Ford that they won as part of the 2nd marathon purse.
Courtesy of the Bob Sprague Collection
By mid-season, 15 different drivers had won the feature event. Racing was tight and every race was action packed. Although there were the usual flying wheels and crashes one that stood out was that of James Lee. Lee, driving Reggie Bullocks 93 car (LEFT), lost it coming off of turn 4 and hit the fence and light pole. Lee's was injured in the crash and his driving days were over. A few years later Lee owned a sprint car that was piloted by several drivers, including Jack Malone. BELOW - Doc MacKenzie lost a front wheel and rolled it coming off turn 2. Note the red arrow pointing to a 5 gallon can and hose inside the car. Also note the lack of side roll bars.
Robert Micklay photo Courtesy of the Doris Toombs collection.
 H.White photo Courtesy of the Doris Toombs collection.
The 1951 season.....more to follow soon.
For more information on the history of Norwood Arena you should also read Hot Cars & Cool Drivers by Lew Boyd.
This book is available from Coastal 181 Press

Click on book to go to Coastal 181 order site.